Dubai teenager Riyan Malhan reflects on historic Youth Olympic gold and Diwali celebrations.
There were flowers everywhere at Riyan Malhan’s home in Dubai. Bouquets from well-wishers had been arriving since his return from Senegal, and his mother, Vasudha, was still trying to make room for them when Gulf News spoke to the 16-year-old badminton champion over a video call.
It had been an extraordinary homecoming for a teenager who had just made sporting history for the UAE. Only hours earlier, Malhan had landed at Dubai airport expecting a quiet reunion with his parents. Instead, he was welcomed by supporters celebrating the country’s first Youth Olympic gold medal.
“I think all my well-wishers and supporters came to the airport, and I wasn’t really expecting it, to be honest,” Malhan told Gulf News.
His return was also marked by a warm welcome from His Excellency Dr Ahmed Balhol Melhan at Dubai Airport, who embraced the young champion and congratulated him on his achievement.
“I thought that I’d just meet my parents and I’d just come back home in a normal way, but I think everyone from UAE really made me feel special. And I’m just very grateful to all of them.”
The celebrations continued at home. Surrounded by bouquets and excitement, the teenager appeared remarkably calm, even after returning from the biggest competition of his young career.
In Dakar, Senegal, Malhan had beaten France’s top seed Mady Sow 21-17, 21-18 in the boys’ singles final at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The victory made him the first athlete to win a Youth Olympic gold medal for the UAE in any sport.
Yet one moment from the tournament remained particularly special.
As he stood on the podium with the UAE national anthem playing, Malhan realised the significance of representing the country he has called home throughout his life.
“It’s not very often that you see the UAE national anthem being played in front of countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore. So I think it was a really special moment,” he said.
“UAE is my first home. I think it’s always been the country [that] has been really supportive, and I think the UAE Badminton Federation has also played a key role shaping me and where I am today.”
The gold medal, meanwhile, was never far from reach.
“Yeah, it’s actually right next to me. It’s right here,” he said, holding it up during the interview.
The young champion even revealed that he had slept with the medal after his victory in Senegal.
“I did sleep with it in Senegal, but yeah, I don’t have any plans on sleeping with it in Dubai.”
For his mother, the timing of the achievement made it even more memorable.
“I don’t have to buy any gold for Dhanteras,” Vasudha joked, suggesting that the medal could even have a place on her puja thali.
As Malhan described it, it had been “a wonderful year and a wonderful Diwali”.
But beyond the flowers, the medal and the celebrations lies a story of early morning starts at 4.30am, demanding training sessions, a mother who stepped away from her teaching career and a teenager whose first reaction after winning the biggest match of his life was to embrace the opponent he had just beaten.
The friend across the net
One of the most striking images from Malhan’s historic victory was his embrace with France’s Mady Sow immediately after the final point.
“Mady Sow is not only a competitor, but also a very close friend of mine. Even before the match, we had a talk about our emotions going through the match and how we feel coming to the final.”
The contest itself was closely fought, with Sow leading for much of the match before Malhan mounted his comeback.
“He was leading in most of the match, around 12-7, 12-8, and then I made it 17-all, and then from there I took it ahead.”
Malhan said he had enormous respect for his opponent and recognised the effort Sow had put into the final.
“I have huge respect for him as well. The way he played and the amount of hard work he also put in in that match, I could really see it, and I felt also a bit sad for him that he could not win at that time.”
Despite the historic stakes, Malhan said he did not feel overwhelmed by the pressure.
“To be honest, no, I didn’t really feel any pressure as such. I just wanted to give it my all, and I knew that this is my first and last chance to get a medal for my country.”
He knew the UAE’s previous best achievement at the competition had been a silver medal, and was determined to go one step further.
“I knew the best our country got was a silver medal. So I think the final was not pressure as such, but I knew I had to do some work. And I had to get home a gold medal, and I think I managed to do the task really nicely.”
Illness before Senegal
Malhan’s journey to the Youth Olympics was not without setbacks. Before travelling from Dubai to Senegal, he had been experiencing influenza-like symptoms.
“Before going into the tournament, going from Dubai to Senegal, I actually had to take some IV drips because I wanted to make sure I’m fully ready.”
His condition improved after he arrived, although he was still feeling somewhat weak.
“Once I reached, I was much better, but I still had a feeling of being a bit weak. But I think I managed pretty well.”
He also credited the medical team for helping him prepare and recover.
“The support team from UAE and Dr Abdullah and his team, I think they did a great job to help me.”
The 4.30am starts behind the gold
Malhan first picked up a badminton racket at the age of four, introduced to the sport by his father, Vipul, who also coached him in Dakar.
The years of training have demanded considerable discipline and commitment from the young athlete.
“I would say every day, or at least six times in a week, I would put in six to seven hours in a day. My morning would start at around 4.30. I would wake up, and then I would finish it off by 10 because I would be so tired.”
For Malhan, the UAE has also provided an environment where young athletes have the opportunity and support to pursue their ambitions.
“UAE does make it really easy for young athletes to shine, especially with the infrastructure and all. I feel UAE’s been doing a great job.”
Malhan also draws inspiration and guidance from Danish badminton star Anders Antonsen, whom he considers both a close friend and a mentor.
“He’s my really close friend and I would say, like, a mentor to me. Whenever he’s in Dubai, because of his tight schedule, he’s not here much, but whenever he’s in Dubai, he in fact calls me to play at India Club, and we have a good sparring session, and we both help each other.”
‘I am where I am today because of her’
Behind Malhan’s success has been the unwavering support of his mother, Vasudha, who stepped away from her teaching career to accompany him to international tournaments.
“It was because I started travelling a lot, and she wanted someone to come along with me. So she took a drastic step and she left her job. She was a teacher, and I think it was for the better, and I am where I am today, it’s because of her.”
Vasudha also takes charge of his social media accounts, helping him manage communications and avoid distractions.
“My mom, she manages my Insta and she’s like my manager. So whatever messages or whatever, anything, distractions or anything, she takes care of it.”
His family remained closely involved throughout the Youth Olympics, following every match and celebrating each victory with him.
“Both my mom and dad and even my grandparents and all my family members, after each match, they would call me and congratulate me, and I could also see their emotions, how much it meant to them, not only to me, but also to them.”
Back to school and training
Malhan attends Dubai Gem Private School, which has supported his sporting commitments through its Rahhal programme.
“My school, Dubai Gem Private School, I think they’ve been really supportive.”
The school provides him with study materials while he is away competing, allowing him to keep up with his education alongside his demanding badminton schedule.
“They gave me special support, and whenever I’m travelling, they just send me all the study material. So it makes it much more easier for me.”
His celebrations were not expected to last long, however. After taking a day off to recover, Malhan planned to gradually return to training.
“Of course, today I’m going to take a rest day or an off day. But I think maybe from the day after I start again. Maybe not the most hard, toughest session, but I start a bit light. And from Monday I start.”
Asked what advice he would give other young athletes pursuing their ambitions, he had a simple message:
“Keep working hard and never, never give up, and just keep following your passions and dreams.”
As the interview came to an end, with bouquets still filling his Dubai home and the historic gold medal beside him, Malhan had one final request for his supporters.
“I just want all of you to keep supporting me, and I hope I can get more medals for UAE.”
